Paulina Klotzbücher has over 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles within the travel industry, including serving as CTO, CMO, and Managing Director. With a profound understanding of the sector’s complexities—spanning technical, operational, and financial challenges—she founded Glyde Payments in January 2021. Her goal was to address industry-specific payment needs during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At Glyde Payments, Paulina combines her expertise in technology and commercial strategy to deliver innovative payment solutions tailored to the unique demands of the travel and hospitality industries. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, she continues to lead the company with a focus on driving growth and enhancing efficiency for clients.

Paulina previously spent 13 years at Travelstart, where she played a key role in the company’s growth and transformation. As Group Chief Commercial Officer from 2019 to 2022, she led strategies to enhance profitability and expansion. Before this, she served as Managing Director for the Middle East, overseeing operations, supply chains, and commercial activities across the region.

In her earlier roles, Paulina contributed significantly to Travelstart’s digital evolution. As Chief Digital Officer, she drove sales, marketing, and supply chain innovations. As Managing Director for Africa, she optimized operations and implemented strategic initiatives across Africa, Turkey, and the Middle East. Her tenure as Chief Technology Officer saw her shaping global technical direction and leading product development.

Paulina’s career began in software development and business analysis, where she honed her skills in agile processes and ERP system design. Her journey reflects a steadfast commitment to innovation, strategic growth, and operational excellence. Today, she is recognized as a trailblazer in both the travel and payments industries.